Hawkeye Live Review (Series, 2021)

Hawkeye : classic service for the MCU

Created by Jonathan Igla, the show Hawkeye finally allows Falcon’s Eye to be offered its own story. The only Avengers not to have had his own film, the famous archer must be content with a series in his image. But the show doesn’t just focus on the character played by Jeremy Renner. Indeed, Hawkeye especially allows to introduce two new central characters: Kate Bishop, played by Hailee Steinfled, and Echo, played by Alaqua Cox. Two new heroines who will return in the future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Even if the series is not unpleasant, it never leaves the usual shackles of the firm. Hawkeye is arguably the least ambitious MCU series of the year. Closer to Falcon and the Winter Soldier that of WandaVision and Loki, whether in its themes or its staging, the series is content to take the usual clichés of the MCU. Hawkeye does not take any risks, and lazily applies the generic formula of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Humor more or less well felt, classic scenario, expected and predictable sequences. There is nothing new to bite into this tale of telephone investigations and espionage. Ultimately, the series does not really take off until its episode 5, and that’s a shame.

The little candy of the end of the year

However, fans of the MCU will be generally won over. Especially sinceHawkeye never lied about the merchandise. For once, the MCU has been loyal to its promotion. The various trailers promised a light, family series, anchored in the Christmas spirit, funny and sympathetic. And that’s exactly the identity of the program. An unpretentious show, without dramatic spring, without big bad, with no other ambition than to entertain and offer Falcon’s Eye his own series.

The realization still sometimes offers some successful action sequences. Strangely, choreography and staging is more readable than most MCU productions. Evidenced by this car chase which ends with a giant arrow. A playful, rhythmic and ultimately quite exciting sequence. What if the viewer assumes they’re going to see a welcoming action comedy, Hawkeye is exactly that.

Smart connections

Enifn, who says MCU, says connections and references galore. The show allows us to glimpse different interesting threads concerning the future of the universe. The main one obviously concerns Kate Bishop, doomed to become the MCU’s new Falcon Eye in place of Clint Barton. This character, famous among comic book readers, is also a core member of the Young Avengers. And given her importance in the series, she should logically be the leader of this new team which will potentially consist of Patriot (introduced in Falcon and the Winter Soldier), by Wiccan and Speed (introduced in WandaVision) and Stature (which will be developed in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania). The team’s sequel is expected to reveal itself with Riri Williams in Ironheart, Miss marvel in Miss marvel and Hulking in Secret Invasion.

Next, the show obviously brings back Yelena, the new Black Widow played by Florence Pugh. The opportunity to follow up on the post-credits scene of Black widow, and to offer a quick and expected outcome to this tense situation. Obviously, the new Black Widow spares our good archer. But the biggest comeback doesn’t concern her. We are obviously talking about the powerful Caid. Still embodied by Vincent D’Onofrio, he is the big bomb ofHawkeye.

This famous antagonist, from the Marvel / Netflix universe, so just left the series Daredevil to officially join the MCU. A return heavy with meaning since opens the door to the reintroduction of Marvel characters developed by Netflix within the MCU. And what a pleasure to see this brilliant actor again in the skin of the giant of the underworld. A character perfectly used in the series Daredevil, which therefore has a second life in the MCU, to the delight of fans. When will the Punisher, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and others return? Soon we hope!

Hawkeye by Jonathan Igla, on Disney + the November 24, 2021. Above the trailer. Discover all our trailers here.